Portland general manager Kevin Pritchard was asked about the possibility of opening up contract extension talks with Greg Oden this summer.
"We have exclusive rights this summer," said Pritchard. "And then he'll play next year. And then he'll be restricted. So, any offer that we get, we would be able to match.
"We're going to watch his development and help him as much as we can. Look, as the general manager, the best thing that I like is, going into negotiations knowing that a guy has had a great year, and that his future is as bright as it could be. I love that.
"We're evolving as a team, but we're also ? two or three years ago, we were trying to add these young pieces; young players who had a lot of upside. And now we're moving into this different era where we're trying to catch guys in their sweet spot; where they're playing their best basketball over the next three or four years. And so it's evolving. And as a manager, you have to change your thinking.
"There's not a day that goes by that I don't have the long-term future in my sights. Every day I'm planning. I'm looking at modeling out different things. I'm looking (at) who might be available; who is available; how does that person fit."